Age of DiscoveryExploration
Lost Colony of Roanoke
1587NotableContested
About 118 English settlers land on Roanoke Island. When John White returns in 1590 they are gone, leaving only the word CROATOAN.
Contested history
Consensus: The 1587 English colony on Roanoke Island had vanished by 1590, leaving the word CROATOAN carved on a post.
Some colonists joined the Croatoan people on Hatteras IslandDebated
The carved word pointed there, and digs on Hatteras have found 16th-century English artifacts, though no village or graves have been confirmed.
Some moved inland toward Albemarle SoundDebated
A patch on John White's map hides a fort symbol inland, and English-style pottery has turned up at a site there, but it is not conclusive.
They died out from drought, disease or attackSpeculation
Tree rings show a severe 1587 to 1589 drought, but no mass graves have been found and buildings were dismantled, not destroyed.
Spanish forces wiped them outUnsupported
A Spanish expedition searched the area in 1588 and found no English settlers.
Community notes
Loading notes…